Looks like 2010 is my year of fours. I turned forty, and I’ve headed to the Big Apple to run my fourth marathon. Oh - and it happens to be the 40th running of this renowned race. Coincidence? Not a chance. I’m achieving a long-standing personal goal: running NY and doing it in my 40th year.

To those thinking of training for a marathon, I highly recommend it. And not because of the fitness benefits, but because of the new things you discover about yourself – mentally and physically. Training is a roller coaster ride. And it’s worth every peak, valley, twist and turn.

how i trained for the marathon

• Jeff Galloway’s Marathon Training Program (with a goal time of 4:15).
• yoga once a week
• personal training to work on my functional strength

what i wore to train in

• All-Sport Bra (love the luxtreme and thick straps)
• a Cool Racerback
• Run: Fast crops (they have 3 pockets where I stored my gels – fantastic!).

For race day, I'm wearing Run: Dash crops and the Run:Reflection vest.

With only a few sleeps til the big day, I’m experiencing every emotion, including frustration. Acute achilles tendonitis set in following my last long run. Everything was going so smoothly and then WHAM! But this is where having a solid support system is priceless. My friends rallied around me, keeping me sane and positive.

With this recent setback, I’m readjusting my goal time: I don’t have one. I am enjoying the moment (and building a longer playlist on my ipod). And, to quote the Tragically Hip from the first song on my running playlist, I plan to do it all with “Grace, Too”.

From all of us at the Store Support Centre, good luck to Jenn and all other runners on Sunday!

Will you be in New York this weekend? Come support the marathoners with lululemon. We'll be at a cheer station at Mile 23 in Harlem, or join us after for a post-race day party at lululemon Lincoln Square - 1928 Broadway (at 64th Street).

what's the goal of goal week?

Goal-setting 101. Goal sharing. Goal coaching. Goosebumps.

what to expect

Each day we'll be sharing goal-setting stories and tips to inspire and help you create meaningful goals that work for you. You'll hear from both goal setters and coachers across our company. We're going to give you the tools that we use here at lululemon.

how to get the most out of goal week

We want to hear from you. Leave us a comment. Come to our Ask a Goal Coacher... Live! event on Facebook (Sept. 8th at 4 pm.). Share your goals with others and ask them what their goals are.

the goal week schedule

Day 1: Welcome
Time to get your goal setting self in order! The goal of today is to get you thinking about the importance of goal setting. Whether you've never set goals before or are an avid goal setter, there'll be a part of Goal Week that means something to you. Hear from lululemon founder, Chip Wilson, on why he personally goal sets and how he got started being a goal setter.

Day 2: What is a goal?
Today's all about giving you the lay of goal-setting land. What exactly is a goal, and why do we set them? Learn how Carolyn, our Digital Innovation Manager, sets goals, and Kerry from Strategic Sales talks about creating the space for yourself to imagine.

Days 3 & 4: Dream, dream, dream
It's the weekend, so while you're in Saturday morning savasana spend your weekend dreaming, getting inspired, and thinking about what your ideal life looks like in 10 years. We've got some arts and crafts ideas for helping you figure this out.

Day 5: Create
After a weekend of creating possibilities for your best life ever, it's time to get down and dirty with your goals and fill your goal sheets in. Julie, our U.S. Training Manager, talks about goal setting and how to be a goal coacher.

Day 6: Put your goals out there
Something special happens when you share your goals. Learn more about the importance of sharing. Sara, our Director of Ecommerce Operations, shares her personal adventure in goal-setting and what holds her accountable.

Day 7: Love your failures
Learn why failing is important and come to our Ask a Goal Coacher...live! event with Matt, goal coacher extraordinaire, who will be answering your questions about goal setting on our Facebook wall for one hour starting at 4 pm PST. We're also going to check in with two of our BHAGs from June on this day and talk about the part of goal-setting that happens after you've filled out your goal sheet and hear how goal setting changed Ava's career direction.

related reading

Here are two blog posts about goal-setting to help get you in the goal-setting mood:

1. 30 Seconds to Change Your Life: "Setting goals has always been a love of mine. It gave me direction and purpose. More than once I have set my sights on big targets and wonder why, so close to getting it, it didn’t work out." read more >>
- Jenna, Online Community Educator at the Guest Education Centre

2. Got Goals? "We don’t take goals lightly at lululemon. Even though my skeptic soul tries to resist, when you set a goal and write it down on a piece of paper, you start working towards that very goal and you either achieve it or it leads you anew." read more >>
- Whitney, Social Media Specialist at the Store Support Centre

what's next?

We're here to support you on your journey in goal setting. Ask questions. Give us feedback. Leave a comment. Let's do this!

Your outlook on life is a direct reflection of how much you like yourself (for real this time).

What a concept! So simple and yet so remarkably true. Finding your sweet spot in life is all about uncovering the sweet spot in you. And why not really go for it? If there's one thing I have learned, it's that anything is possible, including that big, bold, juicy slice of life that you've always wanted. So today, I not only committed the day to totally, completely taking care of me, but I also set aside time to write down the things I don't like about myself (while  always remembering that I have the power to change everything). End result: all the fluctuations in life (good and bad) don't feel so extreme, because you are at peace with the whole package.

So, living out this part of the manifesto meant I had to be really clear and honest with myself. That included admitting to some lingering body image issues and formulating a plan to get myself to a place where I love my outside as much as my inside. This plan includes: a full body assessment to be performed by my good friends at Endorphin Junkies, as well as a nutrition overhaul by powerhouse and Dailey Method Guru and good friend Danica Howlett. And the last piece of the puzzle was personally committing to changing my lifestyle. What that looked like was a heartfelt talk with my man, and planning out realistic >meals and a balanced fitness routine that I am able to stick to. The icing to this cake of change is also establishing a support system in my life to encourage me (and hold me accountable).

A couple of learnings from this full body/mind dismantle:

• Loving yourself means committing to participating in your own life.
• Learn to forgive and grow from perceived failures (we often forget that these feelings pass).
• Identify flaws and what you are doing with or about them.
• Learn to interrupt my inner voice, especially when it starts going on those long-winded rants about you not being good enough, or in control, or perfect (you know the usual cycle of darts you throw at yourself).
• I learned that I can talk myself in or out of anything. Someone once told me that you can rationalize and justify all day long, all life long and do nothing to live a better life. Or, you can begin to realize that you actually hold the secret within you to take your life or at least your attitude towards life in any direction you choose.
• Don't be afraid of opening your heart to the experience that comes with darkness and pain. Things happen in life...lots of things. Those non-ideal moments don't change or become you, they grow and teach you.
• Your outlook can be one that will strengthen your character or one that will make you crumble. It has the power to color every word you speak and every emotion you experience. You have the power to change, choose and become the person you always wanted to be.

Up next… Write down your short and long-term GOALS four times a year. Two personal, two business and two health goals for the next 1, 5 and 10 years. Goal setting triggers your subconscious computer.

Follow my journey on Twitter @olimaughan!

we asked

@lululemon: Why do you run? Tag your answers with #WeAsked & we'll share our favourites in our blog on Friday!

you answered

@MissRedWing: I run because I love the music of my breaths and feet hitting the pavement.

@ashleykoehn: After an 8 mile lakefront run, I feel BEAUTIFUL. No need for heels & mascara. Strength, health & confidence is beauty.

@AshmoeNY: I run to prove to myself that I can go the distance & conquer my goals/fears. I run to finish what I started.

@Glorious_Greens: I run to escape the chaos of the day and to feel the strength my body possesses. It is my time to just be in the moment.

@kelhilder: When I run the whole world disappears and I feel completely free.

@khourinya: I run because it is thousands of dollars cheaper than therapy

@chrissybajcar: It's a time to clear my head, get away, and just be. I also like pushing my limits

@c5mccorm: I run for my sanity! also, for the feeling of accomplishment that comes with finishing a race or a grueling training run

@erinmarie9: To get outside, push my limits and remove stress with each stride

@syyong: It's my meditation, nothing else matters when i run, the only thing on my mind are my breath, enjoying the air that comes in and out, my steps, my awareness of my body in space

Look for our next #WeAsked question on Tuesday, August 10th!

what is we asked?

Every week we ask you for your thoughts and opinions on a specific topic via Twitter, and share our favourite answers here on our blog. Want to share your wisdom in 140 characters or less? Follow us on Twitter. If you’d like to suggest a topic, feel free to email askanexpert@lululemon.com.

View running clothes:

• Run: Dash Tight
• Run: Speed Skirt
• Push Ur Limits Tank

Name: Nicole
BHAG: I am Ellen Degeneres' successor by 2020.

what is a bhag?

A BHAG (pronounced "bee-hag") is a big, hairy, audacious goal!

why share your bhag?

The more you share your goals, the more likely it is you will achieve them. For the month of June we will be sharing a BHAG every day on lululemon.com. Want to share your BHAG with the world? Send your high-res photo to blogs@lululemon.com and we'll publish a few of our favourites here on the lululemon blog.

Name: Liz
BHAG(s): I will be done illustrating my second book by September 1, 2010.

what is a bhag?

A BHAG (pronounced "bee-hag") is a big, hairy, audacious goal!

why share your bhag?

The more you share your goals, the more likely it is you will achieve them. For the month of June we will be sharing a BHAG every day on lululemon.com. Want to share your BHAG with the world? Send your high-res photo to blogs@lululemon.com and we'll publish a few of our favourites here on the lululemon blog.

Name: Sheena
BHAG: I speak fluent French, Spanish and Italian by October 30, 2014.

what is a bhag?

A BHAG (pronounced "bee-hag") is a big, hairy, audacious goal!

why share your bhag?

The more you share your goals, the more likely it is you will achieve them. For the month of June we will be sharing a BHAG every day on lululemon.com. Want to share your BHAG with the world? Send your high-res photo to blogs@lululemon.com and we'll publish a few of our favourites here on the lululemon blog.

Name: Lindsay
BHAG: This month I celebrate 4 years at my goal weight! Through Weight Watchers I lost 65 lbs. and changed my life, becoming a healthy, active woman of power!

My next BIG goal is to run a full marathon! I am now officially registered for the Philadelphia Marathon on November 21, 2010.

what is a bhag?

A BHAG (pronounced "bee-hag") is a big, hairy, audacious goal!

why share your bhag?

The more you share your goals, the more likely it is you will achieve them. For the month of June we will be sharing a BHAG every day on lululemon.com. Want to share your BHAG with the world? Send your high-res photo to blogs@lululemon.com and we'll publish a few of our favourites here on the lululemon blog.

Name: Jennifer
BHAG: To shave an hour off my 11-hour-and-22-minute finish time for the North Face Endurance Challenge Championship in San Francisco this December 5.

Jennifer's an ambassador at lululemon Cow Hollow in San Francisco and owner of http://www.basictrainingsf.com/.

what is a bhag?

A BHAG (pronounced "bee-hag") is a big, hairy, audacious goal!

why share your bhag?

The more you share your goals, the more likely it is you will achieve them. For the month of June we will be sharing a BHAG every day on lululemon.com. Want to share your BHAG with the world? Send your high-res photo to blogs@lululemon.com and we'll publish a few of our favourites here on the lululemon blog.

what is a bhag?

A BHAG (pronounced "bee-hag") is a big, hairy, audacious goal!

why share your bhag?

The more you share your goals, the more likely it is you will achieve them. For the month of June we will be sharing a BHAG every day on lululemon.com. Want to share your BHAG with the world? Send your high-res photo to blogs@lululemon.com and we'll publish a few of our favourites here on the lululemon blog.

Name: Matt
BHAG:My martial arts and fitness centre has 200 members, 8 weekly classes, and 2 big monthly events by 2015.

what is a bhag?

A BHAG (pronounced "bee-hag") is a big, hairy, audacious goal!

why share your bhag?

The more you share your goals, the more likely it is you will achieve them. For the month of June we will be sharing a BHAG every day on lululemon.com. Want to share your BHAG with the world? Send your high-res photo to blogs@lululemon.com and we'll publish a few of our favourites here on the lululemon blog.

what is a bhag?

A BHAG (pronounced "bee-hag") is a big, hairy, audacious goal!

why share your bhag?

The more you share your goals, the more likely it is you will achieve them. For the month of June we will be sharing a BHAG every day on lululemon.com. Want to share your BHAG with the world? Send your high-res photo to blogs@lululemon.com and we'll publish a few of our favourites here on the lululemon blog.

Name: Liz
BHAG: I run a 1 hour 25 min. half marathon by 2012.

what is a bhag?

A BHAG (pronounced "bee-hag") is a big, hairy, audacious goal!

why share your bhag?

The more you share your goals, the more likely it is you will achieve them. For the month of June we will be sharing a BHAG every day on lululemon.com. Want to share your BHAG with the world? Send your high-res photo to blogs@lululemon.com and we'll publish a few of our favourites here on the lululemon blog.

Name: Shawna

BHAG: I have been featured on lululemon.com in a sports bra by July 1st!

what is a bhag?

A BHAG (pronounced "bee-hag") is a big, hairy, audacious goal!

why share your bhag?

The more you share your goals, the more likely it is you will achieve them. For the month of June we will be sharing a BHAG every day on lululemon.com. Want to share your BHAG with the world? Send your high-res photo to blogs@lululemon.com and we'll publish a few of our favourites here on the lululemon blog.

Elyse after her full marathon.

Was I nervous? There were the normal pre-race jitters, but I tried to keep them at bay as I went through my pre-race routine. Besides, I knew I wasn't really going into the race alone - I had much support from friends and training partners, and I was confident that my running coach, lululemon Ambassador Mike Hamberger, had me well trained. I was read to go.

I had two goals in this race:

1. to stay relaxed and have as much fun as possible, and
2. to run a 3:10 marathon

I knew what all of my split times had to be for each mile, and all of my training runs had shown that this was in the realm of possibilities. I lined up in my corral, and the gun went off. My first mile should have been a 7:15, but I ended up hitting the first mile split in 6:38. Way too fast! Instead of panicking I re-adjusted my pace, but I never ended up slowing down to that 7:15 pace. By mile 15, I was three minutes ahead of where I needed to be in order to run 3:10, and by the last 10k I was nearly four minutes ahead of goal, so I just held the pace until the end. I ended up running 3:06, over an eight minute personal best time, and finished 24th!

One of my favorite moments was passing the Philadelphia lululemon cheering section. It was definitely the loudest and most exciting! I was looking forward to seeing the lululemon crew all race, and hearing them during the last 10k was exactly what I needed to keep me on target.

For me, being able to run well and be myself at the same time is of the utmost importance, and this was a race where I really tested that. I am learning that I don't need to put a lot of pressure on myself to be a serious runner, but that I can be fun and my natural friendly self at races, while achieving new personal bests at the same time. I can be focused in a race and be taken seriously as a competitor, but still wear a cute outfit and pearls! I can finish in the top 1% of a major marathon and have the most fun doing it. I can smile at crowds cheering and still remain focused and in the moment with each mile. Hence, I ended up putting it all in stride, and really enjoyed each and every moment of the race. And all of the cheering for the girl racing in pearls didn't hurt, either!

Lastly, this was not a solo effort by any means. I attribute much of my success to many pre-race pep talks by my training partner, the guidance of my coach, all of the great training runs with the lululemon and Washington run clubs, and the inspiration of my amazing run mentors and friends!

Elyse's running journey has truly been inspiring. Read her first blog post back in April, there’s nothing like your first time.